On the Fireline: Living and Dying with Wildland Firefighters

A classic early work by the author of Evicted, a close-up look at the lives of wildland firefighters

In this rugged account of a rugged profession, Matthew Desmond explores the heart and soul of the wildland firefighter. Having joined a firecrew in Northern Arizona as a young man, Desmond relates his experiences with intimate knowledge and native ease, adroitly balancing emotion with analysis and action with insight. On the Fireline shows that these firefighters aren't the adrenaline junkies or romantic heroes as they're so often portrayed.

An immersion into a dangerous world, On the Fireline is also a sophisticated analysis of a high-risk profession--and a captivating read.

Author: Matthew Desmond
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 08/01/2009
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 8.70h x 5.70w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780226144092

About the Author

Matthew Desmond is a doctoral student in the Department of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.